Why does it get dark during a solar eclipse?

Why does it get dark during a solar eclipse?

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Discuss:

What's the biggest shadow you've ever seen?

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Here are a few options for observing the eclipse!

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, have your students follow our step-by-step activity to construct a pinhole projector. Click the arrow on the right to begin this activity.

If you have eclipse glasses, discuss safety procedures before distributing the glasses and observing the eclipse.

If it’s cloudy or you are unable to go outside, you can watch a live stream of the eclipse, courtesy of NASA. The livestream will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on April 8, 2024.

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Activity Prep

Print Prep

In the mini-lesson, students reflect on how shadows are made when light is blocked and connect this to the really BIG shadow the Moon makes during a total solar eclipse. In the activity, students work with a partner to create a solar eclipse viewer out of paper.

Preview activity

Exploration

10 mins

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